LATEST: Tropical Storm Lee forms in the Atlantic

Update 11 a.m.: A Hurricane Hunter plane has been dispatched by the National Hurricane Center to check out Hurricane Jose, which has moved within 500 miles of Bermuda, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Maximum sustained winds remain at 80 mph, and the storm is moving in a northwesterly direction. Little change in strength is forecast over the next 48 hours, the NHC said.

Hurricane-force winds extend up to 35 miles from the center and tropical storm-force winds can be felt outward up to 150 miles.

Swells generated by Jose are affecting Bermuda, the Bahamas, the northern coasts of Hispaniola and Puerto Rico, and much of the U.S. east coast. These swells are likely to cause dangerous surf and rip current conditions for the next several days in these areas.

The system is about 655 miles from the Cabo Verde Islands with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and moving west at 12 mph.

Finally, a tropical storm watch has been issued for a portion of the Lesser Antilles as the result of potential formation of Tropical Cyclone 15. The system is 755 miles east of the Lesser Antilles. A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

Hurricane Jose continues its trek toward U.S.

5 a.m.: Hurricane Jose continues to pack winds of 80 mph as it moves northwest, about 550 miles from the U.S. coastline of Cape Hatteras, N.C., according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Jose is not expected to directly affect the U.S. mainland, but residents from North Carolina north to New England are asked to closely monitor its progress. A tropical storm watch may be issued for portions of the North Carolina coast later today.

The NHC said Jose is moving northwest at 9 mph and a turn northward with a slight decrease in forward speed is expected later today.

Meanwhile, Tropical Depression 14 is moving west in open waters around 590 miles from the Cabo Verde Islands.

The system, which has maximum sustained winds of 35 mph, is expected to continue its westward path through Sunday and may become a tropical storm later today or Sunday. The NHC said the system will find conditions on Sunday “hostile for strengthening.”